Another application of Bitcoin that’s gaining traction is as a means of rewarding programmers in open-source software projects.

“The real potential [of Bitcoin], the mass-market potential, is the stuff we are working on with these new projects,” said David Johnston, executive director of BitAngels, a loose network of angel investors that back Bitcoin startups. “It’s where we replace more consumer-facing things, like eTrade or Dropbox ,” he said. “In the next couple of years this next wave of applications will be built on top of Bitcoin.”

Open-source software is often developed by many programmers who volunteer their skills. Some developers have found ways of getting compensation for their work via crowdfunding on Kickstarter or on BountySource.com, a platform specifically for funding open-source software development.

Mr. Johnston believes that Bitcoin may be another and, possibly, better way of sponsoring open-source development. “It’s a new way to monetize open-source,” he said.